parent functions and derived classes - the data problem

Hi all, I understand that you can call the parent function from within an overriding child function using the parent::method syntax. That's OK. My problem is...I need the parent's data! (I know that the class has no data, only objects of that class have data, etc etc.) I have a class that can execute SQL statements. It is extended into many different classes that add extra functionality - no rocket science. What I want to do is add permission checking in the child classes that then call the same function in the parent *object. ie: Class A { function save() { //refer to member data... //execute sql based on member data... } } Class B extends A { function save() { //check current user rights //if ok, execute parent::save() //BUT parent::save() won't have //access to the member data it //needs because it is a static call. } } Any ideas? I have a feeling it could be achieved with the serialize funtion, as I saw in the annotated manual, but I don't quite understand what is going on in the example. (I assume it is hacking the object's internal representation so that it refers to a different class. Scary.) Thanks for any help Regards, Tyson Lloyd Thwaites IT&e Limited e-Commerce Division Adelaide (08) 8346 3888